Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) has snapped up assets from Sunnyvale based GestureTek, which specializes in gesture recognition technology, for integration into its Snapdragon processors.
Gesture recognition, once the preserve of science fiction films like Minority Report, is slowly making its real life debut in tablets and smartphones, with several firms attempting to find new ‘hands-off’ ways for users to interact with their gadgets.
GestureTek, claiming over 25 years’ experience in putting gesture-based tech into mobile devices, entertainment systems, healthcare products and shops, is likely to have a fair amount of IP Qualcomm could use, not to mention engineers with gesture based tech as a specialty.
What the firm is not handing over, however, are its assets associated with gesture-controlled public display and digital signage, thought to have a big future revenue potential.
Still, it’s no small coup for Qualcomm which clearly sees potential of integrating touchless tech into the home and phone alike.
“Applications processors are enabling a range of new ways for consumers to interface with their home entertainment and mobile devices,” said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president, Qualcomm.
“Our acquisition of key technology and assets from GestureTek will strengthen Qualcomm’s smartphone product portfolio and enable our customers to launch products with new and compelling user experiences,” he added.
